Van chase ends in gunfire

Van chase ends in gunfire

LONG BEACH, Calif. – A dangerous police chase ended in a neighborhood south of Los Angeles Monday when the suspected driver of stolen van ditched the vehicle and was shot by officers.

Helicopter video showed the white van speeding through South Gate, Lynwood and Compton around 12:30 p.m. At around 12:45 p.m., the van slowed and a passenger got out. As the van drove off, the passenger lay down on the street corner and waited for police to arrive.

The van headed north on the 710 Freeway, then exited on surface streets in Long Beach. The van pulled into a parking lot, where the driver and another passenger got out. The passenger was carrying three large bags, which she dumped as the two ran under a freeway overpass onto some railroad tracks.

Officers followed the man onto railroad tracks. He appeared to pull out a weapon and then fall to the ground.

The man remained motionless for several minutes. A group of officers eventually approached him and turned him over on his back. A large blood stain could be seen on his chest.

Police believe the woman was hiding in a building. As of 1:30 p.m., police were attempting to talk her into surrendering.